Effect of muscle power training on fall risk in older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Review question / Objective: P: Older adults; I: Power training; C: Other type of exercise program; O: Fall Risk. Objective: To describe the effectiveness of muscle power training on fall risk in older adults. Condition being studied: Healthy older adults or those with different pathologies who undergo a muscle power training program for the prevention of falls. Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria: Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT); Adults over 60 years of age, living independently in the community without disabilities and other diseases that make them unsuitable for exercise interventions; muscle power training of the lower limbs, without combining it with other types of exercise; Outcome: Fall Risk. Exclusion Criteria: Studies that used ergogenic drugs or aids; studies that manipulated diet; conference presentations, theses, books, editorials, review articles, and expert opinions; missing full text or incomplete data on outcome indicators.

Krill-Oil-Dependent Increases in HS-Omega-3 Index, Plasma Choline and Antioxidant Capacity in Well-Conditioned Power Training Athletes

There is evidence that both omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) and choline can influence sports performance, but information establishing their combined effects when given in the form of krill oil during power training protocols is missing. The purpose of this study was therefore to characterize n-3 PUFA and choline profiles after a one-hour period of high-intensity physical workout after 12 weeks of supplementation. Thirty-five healthy power training athletes received either 2.5 g/day of Neptune krill oilTM (550 mg EPA/DHA and 150 mg choline) or olive oil (placebo) in a randomized double-blind design. After 12 weeks, only the krill oil group showed a significant HS-Omega-3 Index increase from 4.82 to 6.77% and a reduction in the ARA/EPA ratio (from 50.72 to 13.61%) (p < 0.001). The krill oil group showed significantly higher recovery of choline concentrations relative to the placebo group from the end of the first to the beginning of the second exercise test (p = 0.04) and an 8% decrease in total antioxidant capacity post-exercise versus 21% in the placebo group (p = 0.35). In conclusion, krill oil can be used as a nutritional strategy for increasing the HS-Omega-3 Index, recover choline concentrations and address oxidative stress after intense power trainings.

Temperature and creatine kinase changes during a 10-day taper period in sprinters

Objective.The aim of this prospective cohort study, performed during a 10-day training camp, was to analyze the effect of a series of successive speed-power training sessions on the concurrent circadian changes in resting leg skin temperature and blood creatine kinase (CK) levels and to determine the correlation between them. Approach. Seventeen elite sprinters, aged 22‒31 years, were examined. Every morning and evening, capillary blood samples were drawn to assay CK levels. Lower limb skin temperature was measured simultaneously, and thermal images were taken using an infrared camera. Main results. From the first day of the training camp, the base temperature levels began to drop to obtain a significant reduction from the 6th day (male) and from the 8th day (female) to the end of the camp . Simultaneously, CK levels increased in the male group from 8th to the end of the camp, but it did not change significantly in females. Regarding the circadian rhythm, the CK levels always rose during the day and declined during the night. The temperature decreased during the day and increased during the night until the 6th day. After that, the temperature changed oppositely till the end of camp, i.e. it increased during the day and decreased during the night. This could suggest that the training microcycle should last about a week because after this time there may be a disturbance in the temperature circadian rhythm and a significant CK accumulation Significance. Multi-day speed-power training induced a progressive reduction in resting skin temperature and an elevation in CK levels. It also altered the circadian rhythm of the body skin temperature, which may indicate that after about 6 days of regular exercise, physiological deregulation may occur.

Effects of bouncing the barbell in bench press on throwing velocity and strength among handball players

Bench press is a popular training-exercise in throw related sports such as javelin, baseball and handball. Athletes in these sports often use bouncing (i.e., letting the barbell collide with the chest) to create an increased momentum to accelerate the barbell upwards before completing the movement by throwing the barbell. Importantly, the effects of the bouncing technique in bench press have not been examined. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the effects of bench press throw with (BPTbounce) or without bounce (BPT) on throwing velocity (penalty and 3-step), 1-repetition maximum (1-RM) and average power output (20-60kg) in bench press among handball players. Sixteen male amateur handball players (7.1±1.9 years of handball experience) were randomly allocated to an eight-week supplementary power training program (2 x week-1) with either the BPT or BPTbounce. Except for the bounce technique, the training programs were identical and consisted of 3 sets with 3–5 repetitions at 40–60% of 1-RM with maximal effort in free-weight barbell bench press throw. The results revealed no significant differences between the groups in any of the tests (p = 0.109–0.957). However, both groups improved penalty throw (BPT; 4.6%, p<0.001, ES = 0.57; BPTbounce; 5.1%, p = 0.008, ES = 0.91) and 1-RM (BPT; 9.7%, p<0.001, ES = 0.49; BPTbounce; 8.7%, p = 0.018, ES = 0.60), but only the BPT improved the 3-step throw (BPT; 2.9%, p = 0.060, ES = 0.38; BPTbounce; 2.3%, p = 0.216, ES = 0.40). The BPT improved power output only at 20kg and 30kg loads (9.1% and 12.7%; p = 0.018–0.048, ES = 0.43–0.51) whereas BPTbounce demonstrated no significant differences across the loads (p = 0.252–0.806). In conclusion, the bounce technique demonstrated similar effects on throwing velocity, muscle strength and muscle power output as conventional bench press throw without the bounce technique.

Strength and power training in basketball

Modern basketball is characterized by a high intensity activity throughout the game, which requires optimal physical condition for the players. The increasing demands of modern basketball and inadequate physical preparation also result in an increased number of sports-related injuries. Physical preparation in the form of strength and power training is part of the strategy in preventing and reducing such injuries, but also in improving the performance of basketball players in the game. Strength and power have a direct impact on improving the performance of basketball players, but also influence on improving other motor skills and characteristics of basketball players. As the benefits of the strength and power training are known and recognised, this review paper aims to point out some specifics of the training process in the development of strength and power of basketball players. The paper points to the importance of being systematic and progressive in the long-term development of power , but also within the annual cycle of training. In addition, the paper provides some specific guidelines for conducting strength and power training within the various stages of the preparation and competition periods, with an emphasis on the functionality and specificity of the training.

Progressive resistance power training for gait and balance rehabilitation in multiple sclerosis: a pilot single-arm study.

Aims: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of 4-weeks inpatient power training protocol on parameters of gait and balance in pwMS. Materials and methods. 26 subjects aged 18 65 years and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score 2.0 to 6.5 Receiving standard rehabilitation with PRT was applied for 30 minutes, 5 days a week for 4 weeks in addition to other rehabilitation methods. The primary endpoint was the time of 6-minute walking test (6MWT) at week 4 (W4) compared to week 1 (W1). Secondary outcomes included the time in Timed 25-foot walking test (T25FW), Timed Up-n-Go test (TUG), 5 times sit-to-stand test (5TSST), Expanded disability status scale score (EDSS), muscle strength. Results. After the 4-week course of rehabilitation a significant improvement was reached in all tests. The most prominent was the improvement in the 6MWT with 20/25 (80%) patients showing the increase in the distance walked above the minimal clinically important difference (MCID). Changes in other tests were less manifest: 3/25 (12%) of patients improved above MCID in both TUG and 5TSST, 6/25 (24%) patients - in T25FW. After a 4-week course of rehabilitation, a significant improvement was acquired in the 6MWT. Changes in other tests were significantly less manifest. Muscle in hip flexors improved significantly on the left side (mean (SD) at W1 - 3,96 (0,67) vs W4 - 4,72 (0,46), p=0,04)) and showed the trend to significance of the right side: W1 - 3,68 (0,8); W4 - 4,52 (0,65), p=0,08. Conclusions: The most significant effect was achieved in the primary outcome that was the distance walked in 6MWT. Less disabled patients can show better improvement in further studies, as was defined by T25FW test. Regular exercise can improve daily activity using a program that patients can easily do at home on their own.